Question ~ What Is Procrastination? Am I a Procrastinator?
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Answer: What is procrastination? Am I a procrastinator?
Procrastination is the habit of deliberately postponing a task and feeling guilty about not doing it. If you regularly avoid what you should be doing, and you feel anxious about your behavior, that's procrastination. What is the cause of procrastination? Most people procrastinate because they are afraid of failure. They feel that it's better to dawdle than to fall flat on their face. If you procrastinate too long, you have to rush to meet deadlines. If you procrastinate too often, you get a reputation as undependable. Procrastinators always have an excuse for themselves. They complain that they don't have enough time, or they didn't get enough help, or whatever. But your work and your career suffer when you procrastinate.

There are ways to cure your procrastination by changing your work habits. Everyone has the same amount of time in the day, but you have to organize and plan how to use time wisely.

1. Instead of worrying about all your responsibilities, focus on just one job at a time until you complete it.
2. A to-do list will actually help you focus, because when you organize your tasks in a list, you will stop worrying about them. A to-do list helps you manage time better. List your work and then work your list !!
3. Don't let the task become so large it overwhelmes you. Break a major task down into separate, easier steps.
4. Start early on one important task. Allow yourself plenty of time for the job, so you don't feel rushed.
5. Tackle a difficult job first, something you dread to do. You will get a sense of accomplishment when it is finished. Success makes the other tasks on your to-do list seem easier.
6. Sometimes procrastinators actually get a kick out of the last-minute rush. Does the pressure of a deadline closing in on you make you feel more excited and more productive? Do you like to complain about how busy you are? If you think you work better under pressure, you are probably wrong.
7. Know yourself. If you are a morning person, handle your to-do list early in the day. Tackle your work when you are at your peak.
8. Get advice from a friend or co-worker. Let them guide and encourage you in your work. Learn from them and be accountable to them.
9. Are you easily distracted? Do you get wrapped up in distractions like your email, your text messages, your video games, television shows, and your music? Schedule a time for these activities, so they won't interfere with your real work. Sometimes procrastinators seem to have ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, because they hop from one occupation to another whenever the whim strikes. Be aware of your impulses and control them by scheduling them.
10. As a last resort, if procrastination is disabling and ruining your life, seek a therapist for this problem. Professional guidance can provide the support you need to change your habits.